Poblete Foundation secures unexpected $150,000 grant

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Obtainium Works’ Shannon O-’Hare, left, helps Vallejo artist Jean Cherie, center, evaluate gun parts gathered from a recent gun buyback sponsored by the Robby Poblete Foundation. The artist is one of several chosen to create pieces of art for the foundation’s Art of Peace project. The Phoenix in the photo is constructed by O’Hare using metal scrap from Obtainium and cartridge brass donated from local gun range. – MIKE JORY/ROBBY POBLETE FOUNDATION

On the week of the Robby Poblete Foundation’s one-year anniversary, the California Wellness Foundation released the news that the foundation’s request for a grant was approved.

“They called me Tuesday, congratulated me and let me know it was approved,” Navalta said. “I can’t believe it. It’s a credit to the community and the city of Vallejo. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without everyone’s support.”

Perhaps less unexpected, she cried after hanging up with the California Wellness representative, absorbing another reminder that the success of the Robby Poblete Foundation is based on her son’s death by handgun in 2014.

“It was emotional,” Navalta said. “With every success we achieve as a foundation, it’s always on the fact the Robby’s not here and the foundation wouldn’t exist if he were still alive. Honestly, I wish we didn’t have to apply for this grant or have this foundation.”

Navalta expects the entire grant to arrive soon.

“And if we deliver on what we said we would, there’s the opportunity to submit for extended and increased funding,” Navalta said late Wednesday morning.

The entire month-long grant process was grueling, starting with a “full proposal” last November, said Navalta.

“California Wellness is a huge foundation. I knew it was difficult just to get invited to submit a full proposal,” she said.

After looking at previous Wellness grantees, “they were all well-established and we weren’t even a year yet,” Navalta said. “I thought it was a long-shot. I decided to try anyway.”

Navalta believes it helped that the Poblete Foundation isn’t focused on only one issue. It’s about reducing gun violence, but also implementing vocational training — her son was on course to become a welder — while also establishing the Art of Peace project when scraps from confiscated or turned in weapons are converted to art.

“I think they really liked the art component,” Navalta said.

Surprisingly, Navalta said her original request was for $100,000. It was the Wellness Foundation that suggested she up the request to the maximum $150,000.

“I didn’t question it,” Navalta said, laughing.

Navalta said reaching out to major foundations is part of the Poblete Foundation three-year plan. Locally, says Navalta, “the same people are constantly asked for donations and sponsorships. I knew that wasn’t sustainable. The intention in our second year was to shift revenue sources to large foundations. I’m shocked we got this ($150,000 after a year as a nonprofit), but it’s on track with what we wanted to do.”

Before getting the good news, Navalta said she minimized expectations of the foundation’s board.

“I was careful. I know I was excited about getting it, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t set them up for disappointed,” she said. “The proposal was crazy to go through; so many hoops and stack of documents. It was a complicated and rigorous process.”

During a phone interview in the second phase of the grant process, Navalta gained confidence.

“Every answer I gave was met with ‘Wow’ or ‘That’s amazing.’ It allowed me to think we might get this. And we got it,” Navalta said.

A difficult process, perhaps, but Navalta said the learning experience helps in future grant applications with other foundations.

“I have gone through every nook and cranny of what our foundation does; money coming in, money going out and how we show donors we are making impacts in the community,” Navalta said. “The experience of working with the California Wellness Foundation can only help us. I’m extremely grateful.”